The Master of Arts in Constitutional Government, Civics & Law (MACGCL) at Utah Valley University is offered by the Center for Constitutional Studies through the School of Education with a residential study abroad held at Pembroke College, University of Oxford through our partnership with the Quill Project.
The MACGCL program prepares educators, professionals, and scholars to understand and teach the ideas and practices critical to the perpetuation of constitutional government, ordered liberty, and the rule of law.
The program focuses on the foundations of the American political system through close readings of key texts in American constitutional and political history. It equips students with an understanding of the American Founding, the development of the American constitutional system, and the civic virtues it requires. Graduates will strengthen their ability to read carefully, think critically, and engage in civil discourse through speech and writing.
The program can be completed in as few as 14 months. The program offers face-to-face and livestream (synchronous) classes during the summer semester and evening livestream (synchronous) and online (asynchronous) classes during the fall and spring semesters. Students will explore either a teaching track or research track and have the opportunity to participate in a study program held at Pembroke College, University of Oxford (England). The program accepts at most 30 students per cohort—24 for the teaching track and 6 for the research track.
The teaching track enhances an individual’s ability to teach social studies in K–12 public and private schools and in higher education. Students complete two pedagogical courses and may participate in a study abroad in Pembroke College, Oxford for two weeks during the summer semester.
The research track prepares individuals to pursue doctoral graduate studies in constitutional law, history, or political science. Students complete two research courses and write a thesis. They may conduct thesis research in Oxford for four weeks during the fall semester.
MACGCL students are encouraged to participate in the UVU Study Abroad experience at Pembroke College, University of Oxford (England). Teaching track students take two classes on a study abroad visit during their second summer. Research track students have the opportunity of a four-week study abroad during their first Fall semester to conduct research in Oxford's historic libraries with the support of a personal mentor. The Oxford experience is not required; students may complete their courses locally.
These study abroad experiences are facilitated through the partnership between UVU's Center for Constitutional Studies and the Quill Project in Pembroke College, University of Oxford. Quill is a digital humanities project which examines the making of constitutions, treaties, and legislation. Its flagship project examined the work of the 1787 convention that created the U.S. Constitution.
Graduates of the Master of Arts in Constitutional Government, Civics, and Law can pursue careers in a variety of fields, including:
MACGCL is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
